Apparatus for purifying air.



.No. 811,969. PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

A. P. SWAN.

APPARATUS FOR PURIPYING AIR.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.17,1904.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1,

EIIiIMm SHEET 2 PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906. A. P. SWAN.

a SHEETS APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AIR.

APPLICATION FILED DEG 17,1904

A. P. SWAN. APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING AIR.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.17,1904.

3 SHBET8-SHEBT 3 PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, recs.

Application filed December 17, 1904. Serial No. 237,303.

To all whone it may concern;

Be it known that I, ALLAN PETER SWAN,

.distiller, a subject of the King of Great Briti sin, residing atRedbarns, Dundalk, in the county of Louth, Ireland, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in A paratus' for Purifying Air, ofwhich the fol owing is a specification.

This invention relates to aiprocess and apgaseous media by theseparation of the suspended matter or impurities dust,- bacterialspores, and the like-therefrom, theinvention being applicable for use inpurifying air on a large scale and being particularly,

though not exclusively, intended for employment in the separation of thespores of bacteria and other ferments.

According to my invention I effect the recess of purification by meansof a viscous iquid or substance which is caused to adhere to thesurfaces ofsmall balls or spherical bodies formed of porcelain or othersuitable material, the said balls being contained in a closed vesselthrough which air or other media to be purified is mechanically forcedor drawn. By these means the matter held in suspension in the gaseousmedium under treatment is arrested and the air rendered in a purecondition.

The device may be employed by itself or in conjunction with otherpurifying means, such as hair, wool, cotton, or the like.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect, Iwill now proceedto describe thesame more fullywith referenceto the example illustrated in the accompanying drawings,in

which- Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side elevation and averticalsection of the apparatus. In these figures two methods of securing theapparatus to a wall are shown, the full lines representing Wall-bracketscast in one with the end sections of the vessel and the dot-anddashlines representing a trunnioned bracket. Fig. 3 is ii" plancorresponding with Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is "ahorizontal section taken'alongthe line S S in Fig. 1. Figs. 5 and 6 are views in section illustratingmodified forms of balls or obstacles. Fig. 7

modification.

Apparatus adapted for carrying my invention into effect may comprise aframe A, prefis a vertical detail of a erably of cast-iron, to which isattached a conical or taperpiece B, containing balls or cation of airor.

' spherical bodies U and above which is disposed the chamber C forcontaining the balls or spherical bodies V, the said chamber beingpreferably formed in sections C (RC &c., bolted together throughadjoining flanges 011 the several sections. The upper end of the chamberor of the uppermost section constituting the chamber is surmounted by aconical or dome-shaped cover or cap I), from which extends a pipe E andinto which the pipes II I J K for the admission, respectively, of coldwater, warm water, steam, compressed air lead by way of the pipe T, thelatter being furnished with a rose or distributing appliance R. A gaelass L extends between the dome D and t e owermost chamber C and servesto indicate the level in the chamber of the viscous liquid, which isadmitted thereto by Wayof the Valve-controlled supply-pipe M from thetank or container N. The balls or spherical bodies U V are supported byand confined between gratings or perforated plates 0 P Q, the balls Ucontained in the taper piece B being preferably of larger dimensionsthan those in the chamber C for the reasons hereinafter stated. X is aplate which is inserted below the grating P while charging thechamberwith viscous liquid and adapted to prevent egressof the sailiquid. In some instances this plate may be situated below the gratingO. The several sections forming the chamber C are bolted together attheir flanges, and 'the chamber may be secured to the wall by bolts W,passing through an ordinary Wall-bracket Y. According to an alternativemethod (illustrated in Fi 7.) the said chamber may be connected by oltsG with a trunnion F, whereby the same may be revolved, the whole beingcarried by a bracket F, attached to the wall by means of bolts W.

In emfploying the apparatus for the purification 0 air, for example, theframe A is furnished with a covering of coarse flannel, and the balls orspherical bodies U V in the taper piece and chamber 0, respectively, arecovered with the viscous or adhesive liquid suplied from the tank orcontainer N, the plate Ii being removed or Withdrawn, so as to renderfree the passage through the grating. The

air to be purified is drawn through the chamber C by means of anair-pump or of a fan, (not shown,) but which may be connected with thepi e E. The before-mentioned coarse flanne at the oint of ingress of thesaid air has the effect of separating the coarser particles of suspendedor floating matter, while the balls or spherical bodies U intercept thegreater portion of the remaining dust in a finer state of division. Theballs V in the chamber C arrest and retain the microscopic spores or thelike which escape the other purifying media. The purified air is drawnthrough the pipe E and may be conveyed thence where required. It isevident that the airmay be forced instead of drawn through theapparatus, if desired.

The cleansing of the balls and chamber may be effected by firstadmitting cold water by opening the valve on the pipe H, the waterentering-the chamber C above the grating Q and gravitating therethrough,having a certain cleansing effect upon the balls or spherical bodies. Afurther cleansing efiect may be obtained by shutting off the cold-watersupply and admitting warm water by opening the valve on the pipe I,while the thorough heating and sterilizing of the chamber and balls maybe effected b admitting steam by openingthe valve on t e pipe J. Therotation of the chamber on the trunnion in a vertical plane is renderedpossible by removing the bolts G and disconnecting the pipes H I J K M.The more thorough cleansing of the chamber and thecontained bodies maybe hereby effected either with the aid of hot water or other suitablesolvent. The cleansing operation-will, however, be easy or difficult ofaccomplishment according to the character of the viscous or adhesiveliquid employed. The 'cleansin and sterilizing having been effected andt e ap aratus restored to its normal working con 'tion, the lower end ofthe chamber C is closed by means of the plate X, whereupon communicationwith the tank N is reestablished and the valve M opened, the viscousliquid being thereby admitted to the chamber 0, with the result that theballs become coated therewith. By means of thegage Lthelevel of the saidliquid may be regulated. When the desired level is attained,--so thatthe balls are effectually covered, air under pressure is admitted byopening the "valve K, the liquid being thereby forced back into the tankN. The

valveM is then closed,- the plate X drawn out, and the air to bepurified admitted, as hereinbefore explained.

The tapered chamber formed by the taper piece B can be removed byunscrewing the flange-bolts. The balls U contained in this chamberusually being more thickly coated with impurities than those in thechambers C are preferably cleaned by hand, and the flannel which coversthe frame B should be changed at the same time.

The chambers to contain the globular baffling and separating obstaclesmay be round or square, and their dimensions can be made to vary withthe s ace available or the special duty to be pe ormed. These chamberscan be made of wood or metal butfor facility of observation glass wouldbe referable. In the example illustrated thee ambers are of squaretransverse section, with a View to af fording increased and favorableaccommoda-fl tion for the balls or spherical bodies.

The spherical obstacles may be constructed of glass, porcelain, metal,or Wood. Solid balls have been found to answer well for general use,although hollow bells or bodies of glass or other material may be foundserviceable in certain circumstances, the said hollow bodies beingprovided with orifices at top and bottom and held in position by hollow,

square, or round glass rods, thereby affording 8o economy in s ace byoffering greatly-increased supe cial area. Such a construction isillustrated in Fig. 5, in which V are the globular bodies and v theopening at the base of each for the entrance of the top of the bodyimmediately beneath, the bodies so formed being threaded upon a rod '0.The said'upper ends are formed in such a manner as to leave an aperture12 for the passage of the air to be purified.

According to the construction illustrated in Fig. 6 the bodies areformed with a tubular extension c which enters the globular portion V ofthe body next below. The eX- tensions v thus assist in retaining thebodies in position.

The adhesive liquid with which the balls are coated in order tointercept and retain spores or impurities may be used in its fullstrength or be diluted to any convenient extent. For discontinuousworking a semisolid gelatinous coating not easily evaporated andoffering no special difficulty in cleansing is desirable. If of organicorigin, it would need special antiseptic preparation to obviateliquefaction. Such a liquid if applied hot would coagulate on coolingand leave a suitable film on the exposed surfaces. Glycerin may beemployed; but probably no special adhesive mediumwill be suitable alikefor all duties, and the media may range through products of vegetable,animal, or mineral origin.

With a view to rendering the purifying operation continuous the'chambers may be 0 suitable form and dimensions and renderedself-cleaning by providing a constant but slow flow therethrough of ahighly-dilute liquid, which by its downward circulation wouldsimultaneously arrest and convey away all the impurities, and if purewater in sufficient quantity was circulated over the entire surface ofeach ball or body and these were sufficient in number the same resultcould probably be obtained without the employment of a liquid of anadhesive nature. Such a chamber could be used for purifying air byfilling it with pure water and then forcing the air into the chamber insuch a Way as to utilize the full bafiiing efiect of the sphericalbodies 3':

s11,eca

contained therein, while by allowing the water to circulate by avitationi. e., in a contrary direction to t at of the aira self-cleaning effectwould be obtained. As this method would probably require increasedmechanical force it would, perhaps, not be as economical as the methodsreviously described.

' What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of'the UnitedStates, is-- 1. In apparatus for purifying air the combination of achamber adapted for the reception of a number of balls or sphericalbodies, means for applying viscous liquid to the said bodies and meansoperative near the discharge end of the a paratus for effecting thecleansing of the sai bodies.

2. In ap aratus for purifying air, the combination o a chamber adaptedfor the reception of a number of balls, or sphericalbodies, means forapplying viscous liquid to the said bodies means operative near thedischarge end of the apparatus for eflecting the cleansing of the saidbodies and means for conductin a current of air into and through saidcham er and bodies.

3. In ap aratus for purifying air, the combination of a chamber adaptedfor the reception of a number of balls or spherical bodies, means forapplying viscous liquid to the said bodies and means operative near thedischarge end of the apparatus for effecting the cleansing and thesterilizing of the said bodies' 4. In ap aratus for purifying air, thecombination o a chamber adapted for the reception of a number of ballsor spherical bodies, meansfor supplying viscous liquid to the saidchamber and serving the said bodies with a coating of such liquid, meansoperative near the discharge end of the apparatus for effecting thecleansing and the sterilizing of the said bodies and means for conductina current of air into and through the said 0 amber' and bIodies. f fyl h5. n a paratus or uri 'n air, t e combination df a chambiir, balls orspherical bodies in the said chamber, a tank or container for viscousliquid, a pipe leading from the said tank to the chamber and a valve ordiaphragm in said chamber, a conical or ta er piece'on the end of saidchamber, a mova le partition between the same and balls -or sphericalbodies in said conical or taper piece.

6. In apparatus for purifying air, the com bination of a chamber, ballsor spherical bodies in the said chamber, a tank or con tainer forviscous liquid, a pipe leading from the said tank to the chamber, avalve or diaphragm in said chamber a conical or ta 'er piece on the endof said chamber, a mova le partition between the same and balls orspherical bodies in said conical or taper iece and means for eifectingthe cleansing o the balls or spherical bodies.

7. In apparatus for purifying air, the combination of a chamber, ballsor spherical.

'tainer for viscous liquid, ai

bodies in the said chamber, a tank or conpipe' leading from the saidtank to the'chamber, a valve or diaphragm in said chamber a conical orta or piece on the end of said chamber, a mova 1e partition between thesame and balls or spherical bodies in said conical or ta er piece meansfor effecting the cleansing-o the said balls or spherical bodies andmeans for effect ing the sterilization of the said bodies.

8. In apparatus for purifyingair, the combination of a chamber, balls orspherical bodies in the said chamber means for a plying viscous liquidto the said bodies, an urifying media a conical or taper piece eneathsaid chamber, balls or spherical bodies in said conical or taper pieceand a movable plate between said chamber and conical or taper piece.

9. In ap aratus for purifying air, the combination o a chamber, adaptedfor the reception of a number, of balls or spherical bodies means forapplying viscous liquid to the said bodies, means operatively arrangedat the discharge end of the apparatus for effecting the cleansing of thesaid bodies and means for rotating the said chamber.

10. In apparatus for purifying air, the combination ofa chamber balls orspherical bodies in the said chamber, a tank, a pipe leadin from thesaid tank to the chamber a conica or taper piece detachably secured toone endof said chamber, balls or spherical bodies in said conical ortaper piece and a wall-bracket on said chamber.

11. In apparatus for purifying air, the combination of a chamber, bal sor spherical bodies in the said chamber, a tank, a pipe leading from thesaid tank to the chamber a union on said pipe and a bracket on the saidchamber a conical or ta er piece detachably secured to one end of saidchambenballs or spherical bodies in said conical or taper piece.

12. In apparatus for purifying air, the combination of achamber, bal sor spherical bodies-in the same chamber, a conical or taer piece on saidchamber, balls or spherical bodles in said conical or taper iece, amovable plate interposed between t e balls of the chamber and of theconical or taper piece means for applying viscous liquid to the saidbodies and means for effecting the cleansing of the said bodies.

13; In apparatus for purifying air, the combination of a chamber, bal sor spherical bodies in the said chamber, a conical or taper iece on thesaid chamber, balls or spherlcal odies in the said conical or taperpiece, means for shutting 0B the chamber from the said taper piece,means for applying viscous liquid to-the said bodies and'means foreffecting the cleansing of the said bodies.

14. In apparatus for puri 'ng air, the combination of a chamber, bal sor spherical bodies in the said chamber, a conical or taper pieceon-thesaid-chamber, balls or s herical odies the said taper piece; means orshut ting'off the said chamber from the said taper pieceg'a frame, acoverin of coarse flannel on the said frame, -means or applyin viscousliquid to the said bodies and meansior eifect-' ing the cleansing of thesaid bodies.

'15.- In apparatus for purifying air, the combination ofachamber,--balls or spherical bodies in the said chamber, a grid orgrating at the lower end'of the said chamber,-a 0011- ical' or taperpieceon the said chamber, balls or spherical bodies in the said taperiece, a gridor grating at the lower end of t c said taper-pieceya meansfor shutting off the said chamber from thefsaidta er piece; a frame,

a covering of coarse flanne on the said frame, means for applying aviscous liquid to the said bodies, and means foreffecting the cleansingof the saidbodies.

16. In apparatus for puriflving air, the combination of a'chambenbal sor spherical bodies in the saidchamben'a conical or dome shaped cover-orcap a distributing appliance combination of a'chamb'er, bal s orspherical bodiesin the said chamber, a conical or dome shaped cover orca a grid or grating at the lciwer end of the sai cover or cap,'a dis-'tributing appliance,'service pipe's to the said appliance for coldwater, warm water, steam, compressed air, a grid or grating at the lowerend-of the said chamber, a conical or taper iece on the saidchamber,balls or spherical Bodies in the said taper piece, a grid or grating atthe lower end of the said taper piece,

, means for shutting off the said chamber from the said taper piece, aframe, a coarse flannel to the said frame and means-for applying viscousliquid to' the said bodies.

18. In apparatus for purifying air, the combination of a chamber havingballs or spherical bodies of hollow formation and means for holding thesaid bodies in position relatively-in the said chamber, means forapplying viscous liquid to the said bodies and means for effecting thecleansing of the said bodies.

19. In apparatus for purifying air, the combination of a chamber havingtherein balls or spherical bodies of hollow formation and means forholding the said bodies in po- "sition relatively in the 'said chamber,means for applying viscous liquid to the said bodies, means forefiecting the cleansing of the said bodies and means for effecting thesterilization of the said bodies.

20. 'In apparatus for purifying air, the combination of a chamber and aconical piece thereon with balls or spherical-bodies therein, means forapplying viscous liquid to the said bodies and means for effecting 'thecleansing of said bodies.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in presence of twosubscribing witnesses-this 20th day of November, 1904.

ALLAN PETER SWAN.

Witnesses T. SELBY WARDLE, E. SMITH.

